Conferences, Competitions, and Compendia-Where Undergraduates Can Present Their Research: A Synopsis

“Winning projects are not flashy; they are clear, creative, and follow Scientific Method.”

There are Venues for That—And One Can Work Independently of a University Lab.

While working on my blogs on Science Fair opportunities for students grades 5-12, I began to wonder if there were “science-fair-like” venues for college aged students.  As a spoiler alert, I will tell you that there are such venues ranging from those at universities to state, regional, national, and even international venues. However, these opportunities are fragmented and, with few exceptions, not ranked as are the high school student targeted ISEF competitions. To find these venues one often needs to do a bit of additional research beyond one’s own specific scientific endeavor.

In this blog series, I will touch on a few venues that are available for university-level students; these include scholarships, conferences and symposia, and high stakes competitions. As I did in my previous blog series, I will focus on those venues that do not require participation in R0.1/R15 laboratories and are particularly suitable for community college students or for students who attend small, 4-year, liberal arts colleges that do not have these research facilities.

The benefits of presenting one’s research in peer-reviewed venues.

“One’s first research presentation need not be perfect—it just needs to be shared.”

Many college students think that research only counts if it is conducted in a high-profile university lab setting and published in high-ranking journals. In reality, presenting one’s research in symposia or at competitions is an important first step towards professional growth. Some benefits of participation in such venues, even at a campus level, include,

• Confidence in communicating research.

• Networking with faculty and experienced graduate students

• Opportunities for feedback on research

• Resume or CV building for jobs, internships, graduate, or health professional programs.

Furthermore, participation can lead to collaborations, strong letters of recommendation, as well as being awarded competitive scholarships or fellowships.

With these benefits in mind, let’s look at some specific opportunities where undergraduates can present their research and ideas.

Conferences

There are many options available for presenting one’s research that can be found via research or through biology faculty or through special interest biology clubs at your university.

I am highlighting the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Conference, which is sponsored under the umbrella of the Council on Undergraduate Research. While this conference is multi-disciplinary, it welcomes submissions representing independent STEM research; approximately 85% of the submissions come from STEM areas. The venue is prestigious and is described as supportive; it highlights recognition through exposure, presentation, and networking as opposed to competition. This conference is quite popular and fills up quickly. Below are some key details regarding the NCUR 2026 conference.

• Event: NCUR 2026

• Dates: April 13-15, 2026

• Location: Richmond, Virginia

• Abstract Submissions:

  •             Open: September 9, 2025

  •             Deadline: December 5, 2025

  •             Notifications: January 14, 2026

“ ‘All that ‘Glitters isn’t Gold’ —Discovery is the true prize.”

Competitions

For students who like venues that offer a competitive edge to their overall experience, one can choose to participate in science competitions that encourage independent research and that are analogous to the ISEF science fairs that students in grade 5-12 enjoy.

 These venues are not as numerous as the conferences are, I only found three, but they are high-profile venues with a strong media presence that offer distinction and monetary awards.

One such competition is the National Collegiate Research Conference (NCRC Harvard). This elite, highly selective, student run competition hosts 500+ students representing over 100 universities from across the world. In addition to poster presentations, the event features plenary sessions, panel discussions, mentoring roundtables, and keynote speakers. Students can choose to attend parts of the meeting virtually, but they do not compete in the virtual format.

• Event: NCRC Harvard 2026

• Dates: January 23-25, 2026

• Location: Harvard University

• Abstract Submissions:

            Priority: ~ December 9, 2025

            Regular: ~ December 16, 2025

Compendia

There are some competitive scholarships in the area of STEM research that require a project proposal and/or a presentation.

The Goldwater Scholarship is open to college Sophomores or Juniors who plan to pursue a STEM career. The application review is a rigorous, merit-based, and competitive process that is designed to identify students who show promise as future STEM researchers. Goldwater Scholars are identified based on academic excellence, potential, and demonstrated commitment to research.

The application materials are due to the Goldwater Foundation by the last Friday in January; final decisions regarding the awardees are announced in late March.

Conclusions

There are many paths to sharing one’s passion for science with others. I suggest that you take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. I will be introducing additional opportunities and venues in the near future. If you are interested in any of these venues, feel free to contact me at Microbe Mentor for further insights. Either way, start small; submit an abstract to your campus symposium or explore regional conferences. Every interaction builds networks, skills, and confidence that will serve you for years to come.